A Wellington shopper has had her $65 parking ticket waived after highlighting the fact that it was issued to her for no apparent reason.

Cecilee Donovan was given a parking breach notice by Parking Enforcement Services on August 2 after spending just 20 minutes in a 90-minute spot in the northern suburb of Johnsonville.

She said she thought her mistake was leaving the car park at 33 Johnsonville Rd to help an 86-year-old friend cross the road.

However, she was unsure of the actual reason for the ticket, and said signs at the car park were unclear.

Parking Enforcement Services has now waived her ticket, after she complained to The Dominion Post last week.

Donovan was delighted to hear of the decision, though she had not been told of it until she was rung by a reporter. She described it as a victory for the "little man".

"I had no intention of paying it - I didn't do anything wrong.

"Over the years, I have collected enough parking tickets to wallpaper a bedroom. When they're justified, I pay them, but this wasn't."

Parking Enforcement Services national manager Matt Ransom said it had been decided to waive Donovan's ticket on the merits of her case, and that additional signs would be put up at the car park to ensure the conditions were clear.

He said Parking Enforcement Services was hired by the owner to monitor the car park to ensure it was kept free for customers of the shops it served.

"Prior to our providing this service, the businesses here were being affected by people parking and walking off site while not shopping at this car park facility," he said.

"This was having a negative impact on their business. Since we have been providing this service the level of abuse has dropped and the businesses have reported to us that they are happy with these results."

- © Fairfax NZ News

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